The heads of the ministries involved in the procedure: the Minister of Law and Human Rights, Manpower Minister, Trade Minister, Industry Minister, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister and the Energy Minister have all been instructed by President Jokowi to simplify their processes.

“It is realized that until now so many things related to foreign workers permits are still convoluted,” Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung quoted the president as saying as reported by republika.co.id.

Pramono said the working permit simplification should be prepared within two weeks. According to Pramono, if the issues are not immediately resolved, a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) will be issued to regulate it. “Because we should not complicate the investment, nor people who want to come to work in this republic,” stated Pramono.

However, this only applies to foreign workers who have the knowledge, the capacity and also are needed in Indonesia. The proclamation for simplification excludes any foreign field workers.

This effort is to boost the ease of doing business in Indonesia, and for the country to be more competitive even though Indonesia’s investment grade has improved over the past few years.

May Tien is a freelance writer who specializes in culinary anthropology and Asian cuisines. She has worked in the restaurant hospitality industry for many years and mentored students at Le Cordon Bleu in New Zealand.